US retail sales slump 0.3 percent, ending 4 months of gains

WASHINGTON – U.S. shoppers retreated in August, cutting back their spending at auto dealers, furnishers and building material stores to depress overall retail sales.

The Commerce Department says retail sales fell 0.3 percent in August, a possible sign of caution after steady gains in previous months. Over the first eight months of the year, retail sales are up 2.9 percent compared with 2015.